Christian Writers Circle

Intimacy with the Lamb
The Power to Overcome
by Brenda D. Flowers

 Rev 12:11a KJV
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;

A dear Facebook friend and former co-teacher posted a heartfelt tribute to her mother on the day her mother’s life was celebrated. These tender words of testimony touched my heart, “Her legacy of loving others like Jesus does, and helping others was her passion. It gives me peace and happiness to know you are exactly where you always wanted to be….I’ll see you again one day.”

Waves of emotion came over me as I thought about my family members and friends who have died (grandparents, parents, sister, parents-in-law, aunts, uncles, former co-workers and friends—all dearly loved).

I too have hope for a great reunion in heaven.

 I know many of my loved ones had strong faith and trusted Jesus as their Savior. Several were instrumental in leading me to a saving faith and to a stronger walk with Him.

It saddens me, though, to think that any of them may not have had a personal relationship with  the Lamb of God. Some of them were not vocal about their faith. It is possible I missed hearing their testimony. That is my hope.

Yet, we all know people (even family and friends) who are lost, not truly knowing where they will be when they die.

I pray these Scriptures about the Lamb will give us deeper revelation about God’s loving plan for redemption so we may share boldly our testimonies of faith.

 In Genesis, God foreshadows the way He will save mankind. Notice the details of this conversation between Abraham and Isaac:

 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb …..14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The LORD will Provide”

It is amazing to read the prophetic words in Isaiah 53: 7a (NKJV), written over 700 years before the birth of Christ: 

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth, He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,

In the gospel of John 1: 29 (NKJV), we see how John the Baptist proclaimed boldly,  “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” referring to Jesus.

In Acts 8: 26-40, Luke records a powerful interchange between Philip and an Ethiopian. It is interesting that the Ethiopian “happened” to be reading the prophetic words from Isaiah 53: 7-8. He was sincerely searching for understanding regarding the lamb. Starting with this Scripture, Philip spent time telling him the good news about Jesus.(v. 35 ESV)The Ethiopian announced faithfully before being baptized, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (v. 37b,NKJV)

The book of Revelation has many references to the Lamb of God. Reading each one aloud is powerful! One of my favorites is:

…’Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ …Rev. 19:  9 (NKJV)

What a glorious celebration that will be! Let’s be prepared by devoting our lives to Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son as the perfect sinless Lamb to die in our place so that we may have everlasting life. Thank you for the power to overcome fear, sin and death. I pray the we may be bold in our faith like Abraham, Isaiah, John, John the Baptist, Philip, and the Ethiopian. We want to be prepared for the greatest reunion of all. In Jesus’s mighty name. Amen